#5: Storm Runner | Hershey Park | USA
In 2004, Hersheypark opened the world’s third rocket coaster, Storm Runner. Storm Runner may not be the fastest, tallest, longest, or most extreme coaster out there, but it is, by far, the best rocket coaster and the one with the most substance. Storm Runner launches riders 0-72 mph in 2 seconds (slow compared to Xcelerator or Hypersonic XLC), but it is what follows the launch that counts. Riders navigate a top hat that provides extreme ejector airtime, a cobra loop that is full of hangtime at the apex, a flying snake dive, and an overbanked s-turn. Now, the ride itself up until the flying snake dive is just average. It is this element that, in this writer’s opinion, makes the ride. In the flying snake dive, riders are rotated around one barrel roll that provides a falling/floating sensation then another half barrel roll. After the half of a second barrel roll, riders are flung downwards into a vertical drop. It is definitely one of the most disorienting elements out there and it makes Storm Runner our number 5 Intamin coaster.
#4: Millennium Force | Cedar Point | USA
Cedar Point is known for breaking height and speed records. It was no surprise, when in May 2000, they debuted Millennium Force. The ride consists of a 310-foot tall first drop, 3 overbank turns, and three more instances of airtime. The ride is also the first to utilize an elevator cable system for the lift, which makes it fast, steep, and silent. Millennium Force runs 3 different trains with two stations and never has a problem getting trains loaded and dispatched on correct intervals. The ride is almost as popular today as it was the opening season and continues to be a number 1 on coaster enthusiasts’ lists.
#3: Balder | Liseberg | Sweden
Balder is Intamin’s 2nd prefabricated wooden coaster. Instead of having the large plot of land to work with, Intamin had to squeeze this one into a small, rectangular, plot of land. The ride starts off with a 70 degree drop then launches riders through 5 highly banked turns and 10 ejector airtime hills. And to put the icing on the cake, this ride is just as smooth as a steel coaster. Amazing, no?
#2: Superman: Ride of Steel | Six Flags New England | USA
Superman: Ride of Steel at Six Flags New England is one of those coasters that someone will look at pictures of and just know that they have to get out to the park and ride it. Superman features over 9 spots of insane ejector airtime and one of the most talked about airtime hills in coaster history: the third hill. This hill, under the top of the lift, features some of the most forceful airtime in history. Most riders find their hands being thrown up as they crest this hill. To finish Superman’s beginning of great airtime, the train navigates a mix of two helixes, an underground tunnel, and 5 bunny hops (3 on the tops of turns and 2 at the end of the ride). Superman: Ride of Steel is definitely one of the best coasters worldwide and is considered the best coaster in America.
#1: Expedition GeForce | Holiday Park | Germany
Just one year after the Supermans and Millennium Force opened, Intamin wowed the world once again. A little park in Hassloch, Germany (whose only other coaster is a 1979 Vekoma corkscrew) opened Expedition GeForce in 2001. Holiday Park will live in infamy for the rest of its existence. Expedition GeForce is what every other Intamin Mega Coaster wanted to be. It starts with a 173 ft. first drop that twists the riders to the right while dropping them at a near-vertical 82-degree angle. As if the great first drop wasn’t enough, riders navigate 6 airtime hills, 4 highly banked turns, and a carrousel curve all while dodging trees. The great mix of airtime, high g forces, and the beautiful scenery surrounding the ride make Expedition GeForce our number 1 pick for the top 10 Intamin coasters of all time.
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Top 10 Intamin Rides was chosen and written by Evan Aldrich. Evan is a RCPro Administrator and photographer. He can be reached with questions, comments, or just telling him how much he sucks via e-mail at: Evan@rollercoasterpro.com.
Graphics provided by Jay Hagan. Jay is an RCPro Graphics Artist and a Games Crew member. He may be reached via the RCPro forums under the username Xcelerator16.
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